DI Women’s Basketball Player of the Week – No. 5

Canitez of Westmont receives second Player of the Week honor of 2013

February 05, 2013

By Alan Grosbach, Manager of Communications and Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Tugce Canitez of Westmont (Calif.) has been named the NAIA National Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Canitez was selected based on her performances from Jan. 28 - Feb. 3 and was chosen out of a pool of conference/unaffiliated group winners. The selection is her second of the year.

Canitez, a native of Izmir, Turkey, lifted Westmont to a pair of Golden State Athletic Conference victories last week with her averages of 30 points, 14.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. The 6-2 senior forward shot 77.8 percent (21-of-27) from the field, including a 3-for-5 (60.0 percent) effort from beyond the arc. Canitez was also 15-for-18 (83.3 percent) at the free throw line.

Canitez opened the week with a 24-point, 16-rebound effort in only 18 minutes of action, as the Warriors downed Concordia (Calif.), 84-51, on Jan. 29. She continued her stellar week with 36 points - second-best single-game scoring performance of her career - against San Diego Christian on Feb. 2. Canitez also tallied 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals against the Lady Hawks.

On the season, Canitez ranks third in the nation in scoring per game (20.6) and seventh in total rebounds per game (11.5). Her 12 double-doubles is tied for eighth in the NAIA. Canitez leads Westmont in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game (3.6) and steals per game (1.7).

For a complete list of all the national statistical leaders, click here.

The next Player of the Week announcement will be on Feb. 12. For the complete Player of the Week calendar, click here.